PLSCI 4300

Applications in Molecular Diagnostics

Course Description

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2019-2020.

Globalization and the increased movement of people, plants and animals across the planet provide new challenges in combating the spread of pathogens. Essential to the control and monitoring of disease spread is the development and implementation of appropriate diagnostic methods. This course offers a theoretical and practical introduction to the main molecular diagnostic methods employed by researchers today. The molecular techniques learned will be translatable to almost any target organism and will provide the student with the essential concepts and hands-on training for further diverse applications, career choices and experiences.

When Offered Multi-semester course, Fall (weeks 8-14).

Prerequisites/Corequisites Prerequisite: at least one college-level introductory biology course, such as BIOG 1140 or BIOG 1440; and biochemistry, such as BIOMG 3310 or BIOMG 4400. Students must concurrently enroll in SPAN 1501 or SPAN 3020.

Course Attribute (CU-CEL, CU-ITL, CU-UGR)

Comments Students must enroll in both PLSCI 4300 and PLSCI 4301 to receive a final grade in PLSCI 4302. R is recorded for satisfactory progress at the end of the first semester (PLSCI 4300). In preparation for the travel-component course, PLSCI 4301, students are expected to enroll concurrently in a Spanish language class.

• Demonstrate ability to operate alone and in a group in preparing reactions for molecular diagnostic assays (ELISA, Western Blot, PCR, RT-PCR, qPCR, RCA, LAMP, RPA, Arrays and NGS).
• Evaluate and critically examine scientific research articles.
• Develop an appreciation for the diversity of research groups in Cornell, Ithaca and Chile.
• Discuss and appraise molecular biological concepts and their applications.
• Analyze data critically and assess strengths and weaknesses of diagnostic methodologies.
• Assess the changing priorities of regional/global disease challenges.
• Speculate on new diagnostic applications and innovations.
• Articulate worldview from a non-US perspective.
• Express and formulate cultural dimensions of trip to Chile.

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